Wrapping up my Italy Gratitude List series, I wanted to give a nod to some smaller things that are quintessentially Italian. Things that make me stop in my tracks to capture it in a photo… photos which most certainly, but very unintentionally, embarrass my traveling buddies (“Oh no, Mom’s taking a picture of her salad…
Category: Snapshots from Italy
Italy Gratitude List: History
To say I am grateful for the layers of history found across Italy would be quite an understatement. More accurately, I am overwhelmed with the history Italy offers in any given area. From ancient history to the Renaissance, the history that you can see and touch in Italy is at the top of my Italy…
Italy Gratitude List: Daily Life
With November being National Gratitude Month I’d like to share a few aspects of Italy and the Italian culture for which I am most grateful, because they inspire awe, are unique or are just simply charming. First up: daily life. Above: tiramisù to go from a bar in Arezzo; Below: delivery via motorino through the streets…
The Day the Bell Tolled
Santo Stefano church, Assisi, Italy. Legend has it that the bells of this simple church, built in the 12th century, rang spontaneously on October 3, 1226, when Assisi’s most famous son, Saint Francis, died. Image by Chris Light Along with Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Francis was designated Patron saint of Italy. He later became…
All The Colors of the Italian Rainbow
Ok, so taking the tour boat from Venice was a teensy bit touristy, but otherwise we might never have experienced the vibrant and charming little island of Burano. All photos my own ©PrayersandPiazzas2018 (except the above, captured by Daughter)
Snapshots from Scarperia
About an hour northeast of Florence in Tuscany’s lush Mugello Valley lies Scarperia, a spot which has been named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. We had escaped to Scarperia for a reprieve from busy Florence for the golf resort, Una Poggio dei Medici, which just happened to include a 16th century hunting…
While Meandering Montalcino
The quintessential Tuscan town of Montalcino begs to be wandered through, especially on a quiet morning, the air cool and still smelling of last night’s thunderstorm. On a whim we had followed one friend’s travel advice, rented a car for the first time in Italy thanks to another encouraging friend, and after a most pleasant…
Picture Perfect Pottery
An artful and inviting shop window in the picturesque Tuscan town of Pienza.
Evening in Rome
A passeggiata at sunset, and Rome never disappoints….
Four Shades of Ponte Santa Trinita
“If you know just one bridge in Florence, know the Ponte Vecchio. If you know two bridges in Florence, make the second the Ponte Santa Trinita.” — Florence for Free May 3, 2018 Crossing the Ponte Vecchio, as most visitors to Florence will likely do at some point, one cannot escape the graceful majesty of its neighbor,…
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